453: Homage to Perry Legends by Tom Oliver at AppleFest | UK

453: Homage to Perry Legends by Tom Oliver at AppleFest | UK

Author: Ria Windcaller: Award-winning Cidermaker, Podcaster | Craft Beer Columnist April 2, 2025 Duration: 27:38

Celebrating Perry's Past, Present, and Future

Tom Oliver began his keynote by saying, "At this year's Applefest Banquet, I had the honor of lifting a glass to the people behind the pear—specifically Perry. It wasn't just a toast to the drink itself, but to the incredible commitment behind its preservation and craft."

Cider Chat Ep: 453 Tom Oliver Applefest Banquet 200x300
Tom Oliver

Three Perry Legends

Charles Martel

  • Known for his Stinking Bishop cheese and peri-based products.
  • Catalogued disappearing peri pear varieties, creating the first national collection at the Three Counties Showground.
  • His book on Gloucestershire pears remains a landmark work.

Jim Chapman

  • Solicitor turned perry champion.
  • Discovered the Hartbury Green pear and launched the Hartbury Orchard Centre.
  • Now curates over 100 varietals displayed annually at the Malvern Autumn Show.
  • Prefers dry, still perry—no bubbles, no fuss.

Kevin Minchew

  • Perry pioneer bottling single varietals long before it was fashionable.
  • Crafted standout perries like Gin and Huffcap in whiskey barrels.
  • His final release, Last Hurrah, is a 23-year-aged marvel at 11% ABV.

Why Perry Matters

"Each of these individuals helped elevate Perry to something worth saving, savoring, and sharing. Their legacies shape not just what's in our glass—but how we think about heritage, land, and tradition.

Let's keep their torch lit. Raise your glass—Perry!" quote from Tom Oliver

Cider Chat Ep 453 453 AppleFest menu 200x300
AppleFest menu

 

Contact info for Oliver's Cider and Perry

Contact info for Hereford AppleFest

Mentions in this Cider Chat


There’s a whole world in a glass of cider, and Cider Chat is your invitation to explore it. Hosted by award-winning cidermaker and writer Ria Windcaller, this podcast travels far beyond the bottle to meet the people who make the global cider culture so vibrant. Each conversation is a journey-you might find yourself in a heritage orchard learning the history of forgotten apple varieties, in a bustling taproom with an importer explaining regional traditions, or in a kitchen with a chef pairing cider with unexpected foods. The discussions get into the delightful nuances, too, whether that’s the semantics of what we even call this drink or how the concept of terroir translates from soil to sip. It’s not just about production; it’s about the community, the travel, and the stories that fermentation unlocks. This is for anyone curious about the craft, history, and sheer enjoyment of fermented apple juice in all its forms. So, pour a glass and settle in for a series that feels like a wide-ranging, informative, and genuinely good-humored chat with friends who happen to be obsessed with cider. You’ll come away with a deeper appreciation for every effervescent, tart, or sweet sip, hearing directly from the growers, makers, and enthusiasts who are shaping this drink’s exciting present and future.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

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